The Glow2OH Dark Spot Toner from Ole Henriksen promises to brighten and smooth the skin, reduce the look of dark spots, and target fine lines and wrinkles using glycolic and lactic acids, sandalwood extract, chamomile extract, and licorice extract.

This has that sweet smell that the PHAT Glow Facial has. It’s very watery but leaves a bit of a tacky finish to the skin. It stings when swiped on the skin but it only lasts for a few seconds. A few months of using this, I noticed its refining, smoothing, and brightening benefits to the skin. I have a few bumps at the side of my face and this helped a lot in smoothing those parts of my face. Even though this is recommended for daily use, I only use this two times a week so it took more than a month to see results. If you love Ole Henriksen, this is worth checking out if you want to improve your skin’s texture while brightening and smoothing the complexions.

Since I love sleep over anything else, my morning routine has to be quick. After showering, I usually just apply a serum, sunscreen, and then proceed with makeup.

Recently, I’ve been using these products from Allies of Skin – focusing on hydrating, brightening, and just keeping my skin healthy in the morning and the results are really something.

To cleanse while nourishing and hydrating the skin, the Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser ($38) uses hyaluronic acid, silk amino acids, safflower oil, moringa oil, ethylated l-ascorbic acid, white tea, lecithin phospholipids, and lactic acid. The runny gel of this cleanser consistency feels gentle on the skin. I use this as a second cleanser and it emulsifies to a milky consistency. It also feels refreshing on the skin. It cleanses the skin without stripping it or leaving a film but my skin is still left soft and moisturized.

The 35% Vitamin C Collagen Rebuilding Serum claims to be the world’s first and only waterless formula with a 35% vitamin c concentration. It also contains superoxide dismutase and glutathione to provide antioxidants while repairing, brightening, and firming the skin. The texture and consistency of this serum are on the oily side, which scared me at first because this is suggested to be used in the morning. My skin, as good a condition it is in now, would look like a greased pan if I use an oily makeup or skincare product. However, this didn’t make my skin oily at all. It dries into a silky texture but it sinks in beautifully in my skin and actually makes my makeup look so good. Like I have plump and soft skin. Deeper results would be brightening and the smoothness. After daily use for almost a month, this made me look radiant and healthy.

Meanwhile, the Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment ($109) uses 7 brighteners, 9 antioxidants, and a 16.5% repair complex to boost collagen production while firming and providing radiance to the skin. This feels like a light moisturizer but it sinks in like a serum would – quick and matte. It feels hydrating and nourishing on the skin and it works so well under my makeup and SPF. It makes my skin look plump and soft. Also, this makes my makeup look so good. Like I spent an hour doing my base instead of 10.

As a lover of acids, I found the Natural Fruit Acid 5% Exfoliating Glow Potion from Herbivore Botanicals gentle and nourishing. This is actually surprising because this serum contains a blend of bilberry lactic, sugar cane glycolic, orange peel citric, and apple malic acid combined with kakadu plum to exfoliate, hydrate, and even the skin. This light viscous serum doesn’t sting or tingle at all, which surprised me when I first used it. However, looking at its first three ingredients (aloe vera leaf juice, sodium hyaluronate, rose flower water, and glycerin), I figured out why it felt gentle.

I think this would be great for those looking for a vegan and cruelty-free serum that gently exfoliates the skin while hydrating the skin.

As for my skin, I have gotten to a point that my skin is clear (save for a few blemishes during my period) so I have been into gentler formulations lately. This is a product I use together with other hydrating and nourishing products that are included in my basic routine at night.

Using a AHA and BHA acid complex with lactic, glycolic, and salicylic acids, the Knockout Daily Exfoliating Cleanser promises to remove dead skin, refine pores, improve texture, brighten, and balance the skin. It also contains apple extract to hydrate and peppermint and eucalyptus to soothe, and eucalyptus to soothe the skin. Its gel texture emulsifies into a creamy milk-like lather.

It smells very clinical, which I don’t really mind but it’s worth noting for those who are sensitive. It feels cooling to the skin, which I enjoy. It can be a bit stripping for some but for my oily and clog-prone skin, I like it. This claims to be okay for everyday use but for me, I prefer to use twice a week and when my skin is feeling irritated and clogged. It wipes my face clean and devoid of any oil. I follow this with hydrating serums to balance my skin and makeup for the intense cleansing I just went through. This was especially helpful when I had a lot of blemishes a few weeks back as it helps keep my face clean and clear.

To treat, the Knockout Tingling Treatment promises to resurface, balance, control oil, minimize pores, and clarify the skin using niacinamide, salicylic acid, lactic acid, and sulfur.

I’ve heard a lot of people say that the BR P50 smells like vinegar and I think this toner took it as a challenge. This has a strong sour smell and, consistently, it also has a strong tingling feeling to the skin. Fortunately, both the tingle and the smell dissipate after a few seconds. I have used treatments like this before and by far, this felt the most intense. However, results are as intense as it felt. I used this thrice a week when my skin was irritated and after week, I noticed a lot of changes. It cleared up my skin and zapped all my whiteheads and pimples. I would definitely recommend this if you want some intense treatment for your irritated skin and clogged pores.

Using this combo made me get out of skincare hell but even if my skin isn’t that sensitive, I would recommend using this sparingly and when you do, pile on soothing and moisturizing products to support these.

Korres hydra-biome – this came in at the latter part of the year and I have barely a few months trying this but it’s just so good. It plumps, brightens, and improves my skin overall. Love it. Love it.

Youth to the People 11% AHA exfoliation power toner – this is strong on the skin but it does give stellar results of glowing and clear skin.

Whalmyung skin elixir – my go-to hydrating toner this year

Peach and Lily the good acids pore toner – gentle and good for daily use, this toner doesn’t just brighten the skin. It nourishes them too

Then I Met You birch milk refining toner and the giving essence – if you haven’t noticed I love @charlottejcho for giving me TIMY products this year. This duo are gentle and nourishing but not only that but they also plump and brighten the skin in the long run. I always recommend these for those who have sensitive skin or those who are just building up their skincare routine

Farmacy Beauty very cherry bright – with a heavier texture, I use this brightening serum when my skin is feeling dehydrated

Peach and Lily glass skin serum – this just makes my skin look so damn good

Volition Beauty strawberry-c serum – another brightening serum, this is lightweight and gentle

Caudalie vinopure serum – my go-to serum when my skin is acting up

Korres wild rose spotless serum – yes, I love brightening serums. this one is watery and great before applying makeup

Bliss renew and smooth, glow and hydrate serums – amazed by this. they both have enjoyable texture and for the price, what they do to my skin js more than worth it.

Drunk Elephant a-passioni – this made me love retinol. It doesn’t sting, it doesn’t make my face red, and it has improved the overall texture and firmness of my skin

Wander Beauty do not disturb – this has retinoid and I love using this treatment when my skin is feeling dry and dull

Wander Beauty layover – my skin just drinks this in. it light yet so nourishing to the skin

Wander Beauty glow ahead – it calls itself a face oil but it doesn’t feel like it. It’s light and it doesn’t feel oily at all. I use this before applying SPF and makeup and it just a boost of radiance to my skin

First Aid Beauty retinol eye cream – see what I mean by loving retinol this year? I have it for my eyes as well.